Is Cannabis Legalization Reducing Psychiatric Drug Use? Study Reveals Interesting Trends In Benzodiazepine, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores how cannabis legalization, both medical and recreational, is influencing the prescription of medications for mental health disorders in the U.S. The findings reveal notable shifts in the use of psychotropic medications, particularly benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics, with cannabis laws having diverse effects depending on the medication class and the type of cannabis legislation in place.

Examining The Effects Of Cannabis Legalization

The study examined data from over 10 million commercially insured patients between 2007 and 2020, to analyze how medical and recreational cannabis laws, as well as the opening of dispensaries, affected prescription patterns. The research highlights the evolving role of cannabis in mental health treatment, especially as legalization becomes more widespread across the U.S.

Key Findings

Benzodiazepines: In states where medical cannabis laws were enacted, the study found a 12.4% reduction in benzodiazepine prescription fill rates. In states with recreational cannabis laws, the reduction was even higher at 15.2%. This decline aligns with the widely accepted idea that cannabis, particularly strains high in CBD, can have anxiolytic effects. The study also found that both medical and recreational dispensaries were associated with a decrease in the number of benzodiazepine fills per patient and the supply of days per prescription.

Antidepressants and Antipsychotics: Interestingly, the impact on antidepressants and antipsychotics went in the opposite direction. Medical cannabis laws were associated with a 3.8% increase in antidepressant prescriptions, while the opening of medical dispensaries led to an 8.8% increase in antidepressant fills. Antipsychotic fills also rose by 2.5% after the implementation of medical cannabis laws and the opening of dispensaries.

Implications For Mental Health Treatment

These findings illustrate the complex relationship between cannabis use and the treatment of mental health disorders. While cannabis may serve as an alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety, its legalization seems to drive up the use of other psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. This raises important questions about the broader mental health impacts of cannabis legalization, especially as high-THC cannabis products have been linked to exacerbating conditions like depression and psychosis.

Dr. W. David Bradford, one of the study's authors, noted, “Access to cannabis may represent a meaningful shift in mental health treatment for this population.” However, the study also emphasizes that while cannabis might reduce the use of certain medications like benzodiazepines, it may lead to increased use of others, suggesting a complex interaction between cannabis, mental health disorders and pharmaceutical treatments.

Call For Further Research

The study underscores the need for more clinical research to understand the full extent of cannabis’s impact on mental health treatment. Given the heterogeneous effects observed across states and medication classes, the findings suggest that policymakers and healthcare providers need to consider the broader implications of cannabis legalization on mental health outcomes.

Additionally, the results highlight the importance of communicating with healthcare providers about cannabis use, particularly for individuals with mental health disorders who may be managing complex treatment regimens. The growing availability of cannabis—both medical and recreational—introduces new variables into psychiatric care, which professionals must take into account when treating patients.

Cover image made with AI